City of Elmhurst Appoints New Business Development Coordinator

Submitted by the City of Elmhurst. Photo via LinkedIn.

Elmhurst, IL - The City of Elmhurst has appointed long-time City employee, Erin Van De Walle as business development coordinator.

The main focus of Van De Walle’s new role will be to identify and attract new businesses to the community while supporting the growth and development of existing businesses, and administering incentive based programs.

The City recently made a strategic move to enhance its economic development team by adding the full-time business development coordinator position. Van De Walle proved to be the right candidate for this new position with her previous experience in coordinating economic development activities.

Van De Walle, who grew up in Elmhurst, holds an organizational leadership-communications degree from Elmhurst College and has been a long-time City employee working most recently as deputy clerk and part-time economic development coordinator.

Van De Walle states, “Economic development is all about the collection and distribution of information and building relationships. I am excited to serve Elmhurst as an on-site, full-time, resource for businesses, developers, and brokers to connect with, promoting positive growth and development of the City’s economic base.”

As business development coordinator, Van De Walle will represent the business viewpoint when working with other city departments and City elected and appointed officials in development and implementation of City policies and programs designed to strengthen all business districts. In addition, she will attend trade shows and sales conventions as a representative of the City, research and recommend new programs and revisions to existing programs, engage with local professional groups to increase the City’s profile in the business community, and assist in fulfillment of the Economic Development Commission’s objectives.

City Manager Jim Grabowski states, “Having a full-time staff member dedicated to the identification of potential customers and strategic relationship building with new partners will allow Elmhurst to assertively position ourselves for success when vying with competitive communities for business retention and attraction. Erin’s dedication to the City and well rounded knowledge in economic development, as well as her excellent communication and organizational skills, will be an important asset to the Economic Development Team.”

For the latest news from the City of Elmhurst, please visit: elmhurst.org.